I read in my local paper this morning about a three year old boyís body found in a dumpster behind the apartment building where he lived. He had been missing for two days. His father was arrested and held on one million dollarís bond for his murder. It seems the child had wet his pants and been beaten to death. They found some of His blood in the bathroom of the apartment where he lived. People came out the woodwork to say the father had been abusive to the boy in the past. I'm sorry...WHAT?

I realize this is an unpleasant subject, but it needs to be written about. Seems like all I ever hear about or read anymore is another childís unnecessary death. We, as a society in general, have got to stop this epiemic of child abuse, and in order to do that we must find God. Some question God and ask why a loving and sympathetic God would allow this to happen. God did not allow this to happen.

Human beings allowed this to happen. Other people knew this child was being abused, and said nothing. Rather than become involved, they simply turned their heads and looked the other way. As far this childís death, well I have to believe an angel of mercy came and took him home. God decided he had all his little soul could bear.

Dear Jesus, please save our children. Please speak to hearts of their abusers and heal them. I realize abusers have usually been abused children themselves, but someway, somehow, this vicious cycle has to be stopped. You alone Lord, have the power to heal the angry, and take away the pain that makes people want to hurt as they have been hurt. Also, please speak to those who have knowledge of abuse and are too uncaring or too afraid to speak out in defense of the defenseless.

I ask each and every one who reads this to pray for our children. They are the world of tomorrow. They must be taught to love, not hate. They must learn tolerance, not violence, self esteem, not self loathing. We must teach them right from wrong by living as an example. We must stop abusing and Dear God, we have got to stop killing our children.

I am writing about society today as a whole, and I am certainly not writing about Christians here. I am writing to make all believers and non believers sit up a little more and take notice of what may be happening to children they might know. If you suspect child abuse and have an intelligent reason to believe they are being harmed in any way, please donít look the other way. The National child abuse hotline is 1-800-4-A-CHILD. You will remain anonymous, and they will get in touch with your local child abuse authorities and a discreet investigation will take place.

I recently had used this number myself. A friendís three year old grand daughter told her grandmother of a specific abuse she was experiencing. My friend was afraid to call so I did it for her. Turns out the child was being abused by her step grandfather. He has been arrested and charged, the child is no longer in harmís way, and she is getting therapy. The abuser is no longer allowed any contact with her. This was not easy for me, but Iím certain I did the right thing.

Parents (and grand parents) have the right to discipline their children. They do not have the right to abuse them in any way. It is when discipline turns into abuse is where the line is drawn. It is when their anger becomes violent or of a physically harmful nature that it is considered abuse. In extreme cases, such as the one I read about this morning, it becomes murder.

Please help stop the killing of our children.

1-800-4-A-Child

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW

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Well written Lynn. Child abuse is rampant everywhere. It gets difficult to intervene sometimes because the abuser often claims they are disciplining the child. But thank God a keen eye will notice an abused child. I think we all have to speak out about this. Many social ills would not happen if we all learned to voice our displeasure.